Cosmetic Dentistry in Seminole
Get a Brighter, Straighter and Healthier Smile Today
At Boulevard Dental, our team of dentists is exceptionally skilled at performing cosmetic treatments for patients who want a brighter, straighter, and healthier smile. Backed by more than 52 years of combined dental experience, we are intimately familiar with this area of dentistry and will work to make your experience with us as efficient and comfortable as possible. From veneers to whitening to Invisalign®, we can do it all.
To schedule an appointment with our dentists, please either contact us online or call us today.
Bonding
Bonding offers an inexpensive, conservative, and esthetic solution for a variety of situations. The procedure allows us to close gaps and fix broken, misshaped, or discolored teeth with a beautiful tooth-colored solution. It might not be as life-like a solution as a porcelain veneer but this choice is more economical. The material used is basically the same composite material used for other tooth colored fillings, however, the term “bonding” usually describes a restoration that is placed only on the front façade of teeth. The teeth are often prepared with little or no anesthetic. A thin layer of the tooth is removed to allow the material to be bonded to the tooth and mimic the shape and colors of the surrounding teeth. All of this is accomplished in only one visit.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers offer a conservative, visually appealing solution for your smile so life-like that people will hardly tell they are not your natural teeth. The procedure allows us to close gaps and fix cracked, broken, misshaped or discolored teeth with a beautiful natural-looking solution. In addition to having incredible beauty, porcelain veneers are extremely strong. Modern adhesive technology allows for a strong bond, for long-lasting beauty. The teeth are often prepared with little or no anesthetic. A thin layer of the tooth is removed to allow a custom-designed porcelain facing to be bonded to your tooth. All of this can usually be accomplished in only two visits.
Porcelain Inlays & Onlays
Inlays and onlays are custom made restorations for your teeth made out of beautiful porcelain. They are very conservative restorations sometimes referred to as partial crowns. They are precisely made outside of the mouth in a dental laboratory and then cemented into place on the tooth by the dentist.
The difference between the two restorations is defined by the coverage of the tooth. Whereas the onlays include at least one of the chewing cusps of the tooth and are generally larger in size, inlays are placed within the cusps. They both differ from crowns in that crowns prepare the tooth on all surfaces, whereas inlays and onlays leave at least one supporting wall of the tooth. Onlays are sometimes a good alternative to crowns because they preserve more tooth structure.
They differ from composite bondings in that bondings are placed directly into the mouth, whereas inlays and onlays are fabricated outside of the mouth and then glued into the mouth. Because of the precise production process of the inlays and onlays, they tend to be longer lasting than composite bondings.
As with all dental restorations, inlays and onlays are not permanent and may someday need to be replaced. But, they are very precise, highly durable, aesthetically pleasing, and will provide many years of beautiful service.
Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is an easy and non-invasive method to enhance your smile. It will remove the stains that you accumulate on the surfaces of your teeth from pigmented foods and beverages like coffee, tea, sodas, and wine, or smoking. If you like the shape and position of your teeth, teeth whitening might be all you need for a sparkling smile.
Because whitening teeth has become one of the most popular ways to energize your smile, whitening is offered in a number of methods. In-office laser whitening provides an instant brightening of your smile in about an hour. A special gel is applied to your teeth and a laser activates the material, breaking down the stains. Take home whitening trays take longer to achieve a whiter shade, however, they provide the continual ability to maintain your shine. The trays can be used at your convenience, either overnight or throughout the day.
For best results, it is recommended to have your teeth whitening jumpstarted with laser whitening and then maintained at home with the whitening trays.
Tooth whitening is usually painless, however, if your teeth or gums are sensitive during treatment, then inform your dental professional. Whitening only occurs on the enamel of the tooth; so any existing restorations (crowns, fillings, etc.) in your smile will not change color. Existing restoration can be replaced after whitening in order to match the whiter tooth color for ideal esthetics in these situations.
And remember, tooth whitening is not permanent. Therefore it is important to maintain the whiter shade with oral hygiene and touch-up whitening when needed. So, energize your smile today and start smiling to your brightest potential
Invisalign® Clear Orthodontics
Invisalign® clear orthodontics has revolutionized the art of straightening teeth. This solution is a high-tech esthetic alternative to the traditional bracket-based orthodontic approach for straightening teeth. The treatment is appropriate for many orthodontic needs and is great for all ages, especially older patients where esthetic concerns are of great importance.
The Invisalign® process uses a series of removable, clear plastic aligners, which straighten the teeth gradually over time. Invisalign is a completely metal-free process with no wires or brackets showing when you smile. The process is simple and just requires the patient to wear the aligners whenever they are not eating. Office visits are minimal and are usually only needed every month or two. Total treatment time varies greatly depending on the amount of tooth movement necessary. However, some situations can be remedied in as little as three months.
Treatment begins with a thorough examination and analysis of your teeth using photos, impressions, and digital radiographs. Your doctor will evaluate your bite and smile using Invisalign® patented technology and computer 3D simulation to plan your case. We then finalize the treatment plan and the desired results with you before we start. The Invisalign® lab fabricates your aligners to specification and you are on your way to a straighter smile!
We look forward to helping you achieve the smile of your dreams at Boulevard Dental.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQS
Professional teeth whitening can lighten your teeth by several shades. However, many factors influence your results. These factors include:
- Method of teeth whitening (in-office “power” whitening or take-home whitening trays)
- The depth, color, and type of staining
- Your “starting point” or natural shade
- The thickness of your enamel, which comes in direct contact with the professional whitening gels
Your comfort and safety are ensured because our dentists can customize your unique treatment plan to account for a history of tooth sensitivity. For instance, we may recommend using less concentrated whitening gels. These gels are still effective but less likely to cause discomfort. Additionally, we may recommend that you wear whitening trays for less time than someone who is not as concerned about tooth sensitivity.
Porcelain is very strong. When cared for properly, it is resilient and lasts a long time. However, even with the most diligent care, porcelain can eventually wear down. If this happens, our dentists may be able to smooth, polish, and otherwise correct issues such as rough edges and slight chips. If there are severe cracks, the damage may be beyond our repair, and we can discuss replacing the veneer.
Yes. We consider the health of the remaining tooth structure and the size of the cavity before recommending the most appropriate treatment. Inlays can be an attractive solution when cavities are large and require more support and structure to repair them and restore the tooth’s sustained strength. Additionally, inlays can last longer than conventional fillings with good care.
Onlays cover only the damaged areas of the tooth, the surface between the cusps or points, and at least one cusp. Crowns, however, cover the entire tooth. They are a replacement for the natural crown, the white part of the tooth visible above the gumline. Because onlays do not provide the coverage of full crowns, they are sometimes referred to as “partial crowns.” They may be well-suited for patients with less extensive dental damage.
The results can last for the rest of your life. However, we recommend that you be fitted with a retainer. By wearing a retainer as instructed by your dentist, you can prevent the teeth from shifting back into their pre-treatment positions. This process, known as orthodontic relapse, happens in part because the ligaments that stabilize your teeth “remember” their previous placements and are constantly trying to drift back toward their original positions. Good oral care and avoiding harmful habits also help keep your smile healthy and looking great.
Some treatments may be appropriate for your child. With other procedures, we may need to wait until after your child’s teeth and jaw have stopped growing. Certain treatments may cause more harm than good when children’s tooth enamel and other structures are still maturing and may be highly vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and damage.
To schedule your appointment with our dentists, contact us today at (727) 308-6224.
